By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

COLUMBIANA – A 33-year-old Montevallo man will learn his sentence later this year after he pleaded guilty to trafficking methamphetamine during a recent court hearing.

Brandon Lee Hendrix, who lists an address in Montevallo, pleaded guilty to one count of trafficking methamphetamine during a March 24 hearing in Shelby County District Court.

District Court Judge Daniel Crowson accepted Hendrix’ guilty plea, and set Hendrix’ sentencing for Dec. 15 at 8:30 a.m. Hendrix was released from custody pending his sentencing date.

Two counts of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance and counts of attempt to commit a controlled substance crime, second-degree possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia against Hendrix were dropped.

The Shelby County Drug Enforcement Task Force arrested Hendrix on Nov. 21, 2015, and charged him with the crimes. The arrest came as the result of a Task Force investigation involving Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and Alabaster Police Department patrol officers and investigators, according to Lt. Clay Hammac, the commander of the Task Force.

Hammac previously said law enforcement officers intercepted Hendrix on Alabama 119 in Alabaster after learning he would be traveling through Shelby County to deliver methamphetamine for distribution.

After initiating a traffic stop on Hendrix’ vehicle, Hammac said officers found 63 grams of methamphetamine inside.

Trafficking methamphetamine is a Class A felony, which is the most severe level outlined in Alabama law. Hendrix could face up to life in prison for the crime.